A nurse in the Emergency Department is evaluating a patient’s cardiac rhythm. What is the correct interpretation of the rhythm and the appropriate treatment?

Choice A rationale
Keeping hands warm and wearing gloves when handling cold objects is one of the most effective ways to manage Raynaud’s disease. Cold temperatures can trigger Raynaud’s attacks, which can cause the fingers to turn white, then blue, and feel cold and numb.
Choice B rationale
While avoiding standing for prolonged periods can be beneficial for certain conditions, it is not specifically related to managing Raynaud’s disease.
Choice C rationale
Regular exercise can help improve circulation, which can be beneficial for people with Raynaud’s disease. However, it’s not as crucial as keeping the hands warm.
Choice D rationale
Regularly returning to the clinic for blood pressure checks is not specifically related to managing Raynaud’s disease. While it’s important for individuals with certain conditions, such as hypertension, to regularly monitor their blood pressure, it’s not a key aspect of managing Raynaud’s disease.

Choice A rationale
Assessing the need for smoking cessation is a standard part of nursing care, especially for patients with circulatory issues. Smoking can exacerbate circulatory problems and delay wound healing.
Choice B rationale
Applying TED hose to bilateral legs might not be appropriate for this patient. TED hose are compression stockings designed to prevent deep vein thrombosis and promote circulation.
However, in a patient with weak pedal pulses and a full-thickness wound on the leg, the compression from the stockings could potentially worsen circulation to the area and impede wound healing.
Choice C rationale
Consulting physical therapy could be beneficial for this patient. Physical therapists can provide exercises and interventions to improve circulation and mobility, which could help with the patient’s circulatory issues and wound healing.
Choice D rationale
Obtaining an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) with a hand-held Doppler could be useful in this situation. The ABI is a simple, non-invasive test that can help diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that could be causing the patient’s weak pedal pulses and wound healing issues.